Win a dashcam

The Type 35 was the most successful of the Bugatti racing models.

Its version of the Bugatti arch-shaped radiator that had evolved from the more architectural one of the Bugatti Type 13 Brescia, was to become the one that the marque is most known for though even in the ranks of the various Type 35s there were variations on the theme.

The Type 35 was phenomenally successful, winning over 1,000 races in its time. It took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926 after winning 351 races and setting 47 records in the two prior years. At its height, Type 35s averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35.

The original model, introduced at the Grand Prix of Lyon on August 3, 1924, used an evolution of the 3-valve 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) overhead cam straight-8 engine first seen on the Type 29. Bore was 60 mm and stroke was 88 mm as on many previous Bugatti models. Ninety-six examples were produced.

This new powerplant featured five main bearings with an unusual ball bearing system. This allowed the engine to rev to 6000 rpm, and 90 hp (67 kW) was reliably produced. Solid axles with leaf springs were used front and rear, and drum brakes at the back, operated by cables, were specified. Alloy wheels were a novelty, as was the hollow front axle for reduced unsprung weight. A second feature of the Type 35 that was to become a Bugatti trademark was passing the springs through the front axle rather than simply U-bolting them together as was done on their earlier cars.

A rare version was de-bored (to 52 mm) for a total displacement of 1.5 L (1494 cc/91 in³). There are two of these rare cars in New Zealand.

Specifications

Grand Prix

Identifying Features:
2-seater GP body; alloy wheels, outside gear and brake levers; in-swept rear springs; supercharged models have hole high up in RH bonnet for relief valve exit. 35B, 35T have compression plate. All models have special oil feed pipe to front ball race

Years Made
(approx): 35 from 1924, others about 1926, until 1931

Number Made:
210 (90 supercharged), including T39

Engine:
No of cylinders: 8
Bore x stroke: 35, 35C: 60 x 88mm; 35B, 35T: 60 x 100mm
Capacity: 1991cc, 2262cc
BHP (approx): 35: 90; 35C, 35B: 120-130
RPM Limit (prudent): 35, 35C: 5,500; 35B, 35T: 5,000
Camshaft: sohc
Valves (per cylinder): 3
Camshaft drive: Front, bevel
Crankshaft bearings, No and Type: 3 + 1 Ball, 2 roller, roller rods
Supercharger (Roots): 35C and 35B only
Carburettor: 35, 35T: 2 Solex; 35B, 35C, 1 Zenith
Ignition: Dash-mounted magneto
Plugs per cylinder: 1
Firing Order: 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, 8

Clutch:
Type: Wet, multi-plate

Gearbox:
Location: Central, separate, 4-speed and reverse
Gear change lever: Outside, top forward

Rear Axle:
Normal Ratio: 15/54, 14/54, 13/54 = 3.6, 3.86, 4.15

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 94.5in (2.4m)
Track: 47.25in (1.2m)
Weight (approx): 1650lb (750kg)

Brakes:
Location and Type: 4-wheel cable operated

Wheels:
Type: Cast, integral drum, detachable rim
Tyre size: original: 710 x 90; modern fitment: 5.00 x 19

Crossbreeding with Other Types:
Chassis and body used on T37, 39 and 51

Type 35A

A less expensive version of the Type 35 appeared in May, 1925. The factory's "Type 35A" name was ignored by the public, who nicknamed it "Tecla" after a famous maker of imitation jewelry. The Tecla's engine used three plain bearings, smaller valves, and coil ignition like the Type 30. While this decreased maintenance requirements, it also reduced output. One-hundred thirty nine of the Type 35As were sold.

Specifications

Identifying Features:
Wire wheels, engine stamped with suffix `A’, coil ignition, GP body, small radiator; no extra pipe to front main bearing

Years Made
(approx): 1926-29

Numbers Made:
130

Engine:
No of cylinders: 8
Bore x stroke: 60 x 88mm
Capacity: 1991cc
BHP (approx): 70
RPM Limit (prudent): 4,000
Camshaft: sohc
Valves (per cylinder): 3
Camshaft drive: Front, bevel
Crankshaft bearings, No. and Type: 3 + 1 ball, plain rods
Caburettor: 2 Solex or Zenith
Ignition: Coil
Plugs per cylinder: 1
Firing Order: 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, 8

Clutch:
Type: Wet, multi-plate

Gearbox:
Location: Separate, central, 4-speed and reverse
Gear change lever: Outside, Top forward

Rear Axle:
Normal Ratio: 14/54 = 3.86

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 94.5in (2.4m)
Track: 47.25in (1.2m)
Weight (approx): 1650lb (750kg)

Brakes:
Location and Type: 4-wheel cable operated

Wheels:
Type: Wire
Tyre size: original 27 x 4.40; modern fitment 4.50 x 19

Crossbreeding with Other Types:
Same chassis and body as T35, 37, 39 and 51; engine basically T38

Type 35C

The Type 35C featured a Roots supercharger, despite Ettore Bugatti's disdain for forced induction. Output was nearly 128 hp (95 kW) with a single Zenith carburettor. Type 35Cs won the French Grand Prix at Saint-Gaudens in 1928, and at Pau in 1930. Fifty examples left the factory.

Type 35T

For 1926, Bugatti introduced a special model for the Targa Florio race. Called the "Type 35T" officially, it soon became known as the "Targa Florio". Engine displacement was up to 2.3 L (2262 cc/138 in³) with a longer 100 mm stroke. Grand Prix rule changes limiting capacity to 2.0 L limited the appeal of this model at the time with just thirteen produced.

Type 35B

Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix racer

The final version of the Type 35 series was the Type 35B of 1927. Originally named "Type 35TC", it shared the 2.3 L engine of the Type 35T but added a large supercharger like the Type 35C. Output was 138 hp (102 kW), and 45 examples were made. A British racing green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams won the 1929 French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Race victories

Year	Race	Driver	Car
1925	Targa Florio	Bartolomeo Costantini	Type 35
1926	French Grand Prix	Jules Goux	Type 39 A
	Italian Grand Prix	Louis Charavel	Type 39 A
	Spanish Grand Prix	Bartolomeo Costantini
	Targa Florio	Bartolomeo Costantini	Type 35 T
1927	Targa Florio	Emilio Materassi	Type 35 C
1928	French Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 C
	Italian Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 37 A
	Spanish Grand Prix	Louis Chiron
	Targa Florio	Albert Divo	Type 35 B
1929	French Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 B
	German Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 35 C
	Spanish Grand Prix	Louis Chiron
	Monaco Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 B
	Targa Florio	Albert Divo	Type 35 C
1930	Belgian Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 35 C
	Czechoslovakian Grand Prix	Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen and Hermann zu Leiningen	Type 35 B
	French Grand Prix	Philippe Étancelin	Type 35 C
	Monaco Grand Prix	René Dreyfus	Type 35 B
1931	Australian Grand Prix	Carl Junker	Type 39